KUA Prevails 8-5 over Holderness

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Steve Kontos’ shot from the high crease with 2:09 remaining in the game broke a 5-5 tie and put the Wildcats up for good in this key Lakes Region contest. KUA took a 5-4 lead early in the final quarter only to see Holderness tie the score with 3:11 remaining in the game. Kontos won the ensuing face-off and gave the Wildcats possession. Ben Hayden dinged the post moments later and the Wildcats came up with the ground ball. KUA moved the ball around on offense before Kontos got a step on his defenseman and fired the game winner.  With Holderness pressing, Alex Liebert and Cody Danforth scored KUA’s seventh and eighth goals to put the game out of reach.

The Bulls got on top of the Wildcats in the first quarter with two goals within a one minute span.  With only 7 seconds remaining in the first quarter KUA’s Kyle Curry dodged to his left and fired into the net to get KUA on the board. KUA tied the score less than 20 seconds into the second quarter when Danforth’s shot found twine behind the hot Holderness goaltender.  Justin Wright later matched Holderness’ third goal to send both teams tied 3-3 into the half.

Ben Hayden put KUA up 4-3 early in the third quarter off a feed from Danforth.  Danforth then scored his second goal of the game with the assist going to Kontos to give KUA a 5-3 lead. Holderness never let down and, with only 1:38 remaining in the third quarter, scored to narrow the Wildcat lead to 5-4.  

KUA’s goalie Jake Gray made 17 saves on the day, many late in the game to halt the Bulls momentum.  The sophomore midfield connection of Chris Morse, Kevin Vieira, and Drew Caron played tough defense and cleared the ball effectively to give KUA the extra edge throughout the game. John Planner, Juan Breton, and Ben Wyskiel played exceptional defense in the second half.

KUA (6-1) hosts Gould Academy on Wednesday, April 29.